Cooking container comprising a temperature sensor provided with a fixing member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking vessels with integrated temperature sensors suffer from inaccurate temperature measurement due to the sensor's unstable contact with the bottom, leading to variable response times and reduced heat transmission efficiency, especially when used with induction heating devices.

Innovation Solution

A cooking vessel design featuring a temperature sensor secured to a fixing element within the cap, which is immobilized against the bottom using a crimped fixing plate, ensuring stable contact and accurate temperature measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the temperature sensor is arranged between the bottom and the perforated plate without a fixing element, then the sensor can move freely during heating and cooling cycles, but the temperature measurement becomes inaccurate and response time becomes variable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor movement freedomVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A fixing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the temperature sensor and the bottom surface. This fixing element maintains stable thermal contact between the sensor and the bottom while allowing the sensor to remain positioned between the bottom and the perforated plate, thus resolving the contradiction between movement freedom and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the perforated plate is fixed to the bottom to ensure induction heating compatibility, then heat transmission improves, but the sensor may move against the plate causing hot spots and inaccurate measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transmission efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature measurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the bottom surface, the fixing element, the temperature sensor, and the perforated plate. The fixing element is specifically designed to secure the sensor independently while the perforated plate remains fixed for induction heating compatibility. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between heat transmission efficiency and measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the sensor is directly fixed to the bottom, then stable temperature measurement is achieved, but the sensor is vulnerable to damage during manufacturing and use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement stabilityVSAvoidsensor vulnerability to damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing element serves as a protective cushioning structure that is installed beforehand to secure the temperature sensor. This fixing element absorbs mechanical stresses and protects the fragile sensor during manufacturing processes and throughout the product's lifetime, while simultaneously maintaining stable thermal contact for accurate temperature measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a reliable, durable, and economical means for precise temperature measurement, eliminating hot spots and ensuring consistent performance over time.

Implementation Method 1

the transmission of the heat generated in the detached plate will be less effective towards the bottom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2986191B1Cooking container comprising a temperature sensor provided with a fixing member
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 SEB SA
  • EP2986191B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2986191B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The invention concerns a cooking container (1) having a cap (2) comprising a bottom (3) and a side wall (4), a perforated plate (6) secured to an outer face (7) of the cap (2) and a temperature sensor (10) provided with two insulated conductive elements (11, 12) arranged between the outer face (7) of the cap (2) and the perforated plate (6), said conductive elements (10) extending from the bottom (3) to the side wall (4). According to the invention, the temperature sensor (10) is rigidly connected to a securing member secured to the bottom (3) of the cap (2).